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Alex Smith will reportedly be the 49ers' second-string quarterback Sunday against the Saints. (AP)

Colin Kaepernick won his first NFL start Monday.

Two days later, he’s won the 49ers’ starting job.

At least, that is, according to one report Wednesday night.

After a brilliant performance in a 32-7 rout of the Bears, Kaepernick will make his second straight start Sunday against the Saints, Sports Illustrated’s Jim Trotter reported via Twitter. Trotter, citing a source, said the decision to start Kaepernick is not based on Smith’s uncertain health status. Smith, who sustained a concussion on Nov. 11, was limited in practice Wednesday and has yet to be medically cleared to play in a game.

Shortly after that report, however, an ESPN producer, Seth Markman, said, via Twitter, that Smith told ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer a different story regarding his status. Smith reportedly told Dilfer, his teammate with the 49ers in 2007, that Kaepernick would be getting the first-team snaps, but Smith could still start based on his performance in practice.

The 49ers did not confirm either report.

At the very least, Kaepernick appears to have moved atop the current depth chart thanks to a debut performance against Chicago that Harbaugh termed “A-plus, plus.” Kaepernick tossed two touchdowns, compiled a 133.1 passer rating and earned enthusiastic postgame reviews from his offensive teammates.

Tight end Vernon Davis likened Kaepernick to New England’s Tom Brady in discussing one of his throws and said it felt like someone had removed his “handcuffs”: Davis had 83 receiving yards, 18 fewer than he’d managed in his previous four games.

Wide receiver Kyle Williams was also effusive after Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 27-0 third-quarter lead against one of the league’s top defenses. Williams had a career-long 57-yard, first-quarter reception along the right sideline.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Williams said of Kaepernick’s debut. “Especially against a defense like that.”

On Wednesday, Saints interim coach Joe Vitt was equally taken with Kaepernick’s performance.

“It was absolutely phenomenal,” Vitt said. “I thought he played like he was a five-year vet … He showed tremendous confidence and you saw the team’s confidence grow around him as the game wore on.”

The apparent decision to stick with Kaepernick will place Smith in a backup role in the midst of the best season of his eight-year career. Smith leads the NFL in completion percentage, ranks third in passer rating and was named the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week in his last full game, a 24-3 win at Arizona on Oct. 29 in which he completed 18 of 19 passes.

With the stronger-armed Kaepernick, however, the 49ers’ passing game possesses an enhanced vertical threat. Kaepernick had six completions of at least 20 yards against the Bears. Smith had 22 such completion in nine starts.

Before practice Wednesday, Smith mentioned wanting to set a “great example” for the team by the way he and Kaepernick handled a situation which could divide a locker room.

“Like I said, it’s not easy,” Smith said. “It can be complicated, but this is a good problem for the 49ers. It’s a good problem for us as a team. It’s not a bad thing. There’s only one ball though, that’s what makes it tough.”